Optically and rheologically tailored polymers for applications in integrated optics

• A flexible epoxy acrylate system for micro-optical applications is presented.
• The refractive index was varied between nD,20 = 1.518 and 1.569.
• The viscosity could be tailored between 0.003 Pa s and 46 Pa s.
• The functional use was demonstrated with three applications.

We demonstrate an epoxy acrylate based system on which various micro-optical applications can be realized. With this innovative and flexible material concept, it is possible to adjust viscosity (3 mPa s < η < 46 Pa s) as required for different microstructuring processes e.g. inkjet printing, spin coating, and stereolithography and simultaneously precisely tailor refractive indices (1.518 < nD,20 < 1.569) which is essential to implement optical sensor concepts. The practicability of this material system is demonstrated for optical waveguide production and selected applications. The fast and low cost modification of optical and rheological material properties is advantageous for the fabrication of micro-optical polymer devices including planar-optical polymer sensor networks.